PAM. 

SEAM, 


cJv  S">  \ 


A 


SERMON. 


?7 

p ( inn /at 


T 


.C/ 


PREACHED 


IN  THE  OLD  SOUTH  CHURCH,  BOSTON 


SABB.Vni  EVENING,  Dec.  10,  1821, 

BY  THE 


REV.  DANIEL  TEMPLE, 

JUST  BEFORE  HIS  DEPAnTUBE, 


AS  A MISSIONARY 


TO 


BOSTON: 

CROCKER  AXD  EREWSTER,  PRINTERS, 
No.  50,  CornliiU. 

1821. 


j 


S' 


SERMON, 


Proverbs  iii,  27. 

Withhold  not  good  from,  them  to  ■ whom  it  is  due , when  it  is  in 
the  power  of  thine  hand  to  do  it. 

When  indigence  involves  our  friends  and  neighbors 
in  distress,  the  voice  of  nature  and  of  common  humanity 
calls  to  us  for  aid.  The  voice  of  nature  and  of  Rev- 
elation harmoniously  demands  that  we  should  lend 
our  aid  in  alleviating  the  distresses  of  suffering  hu- 
manity. This  obligation  is  distinctly  recognized  in 
the  passage  before  us.  If  then  an  obligation  rest  on 
us  to  supply  the  temporal  wants  of  men  to  the  extent 
of  our  ability,  is  it  not  quite  certain  that  we  fall  under 
still  higher  and  more  sacred  obligations  to  supply  their 
spiritual  wants  to  the  same  extent? 

That  is  not  a divine  charity,  which  pours  out  all  its 
solicitude  upon  the  body,  but  never  drops  a tear  nor 
utters  a prayer  for  the  undying  soul.  But  that  is  a 
charity  of  heavenly  birth,  which  longs  and  prays  in- 
tensely for  the  salvation  of  the  soul,  which  gives  the 
Bible  to  them,  who  without  it  icould  not  find  their 
way  to  tiie  kingdom  of  heaven;  which  takes  them  by 


4 


the  hand,  who  sit  in  the  region  and  shadow  of  death, 
and  guides  them  to  Him,  who  is  the  Light  of  the 
world.  This  is  a divine,  a noble  charity.  This  is  be- 
stowing good  on  them  to  whom  it  is  due. 

The  Bible  does  not  leave  us  in  doubt  in  reference 
to  the  extent  or  the  object  of  our  charity.  The  text 
teaches  us  that  our  obligations  to  do  good  are  com- 
mensurate with  our  ability;  that  the  power  of  doing 
good  imposes  an  obligation  to  do  it.  The  charity 
recommended  in  oift  text  undoubtedly  embraces  all 
the  objects  within  the  range  of  Christian  benevolence, 
but  as  we  cannot  bring  all  these  objects  before  us  at 
present,  it  may  be  proper  to  limit  our  attention  to  one 
prominent  object,  viz.  charity  to  the  heathen. 

I shall  endeavor  to  shew, 

1.  That  in  sending  to  them  the  Gospel,  we  confer 
the  most  precious  blessing. 

There  was  a time  when  man  was  permitted  to  en- 
joy the  most  familiar  intercourse  with  God;  when  sin 
had  not  darkened  his  understanding  nor  perverted  his 
heart.  This  was  the  primeval  state  of  the  human 
race.  But  the  apostasy  interrupted  this  happy  inter- 
course and  drove  our  first  parents  away  from  the  pres- 
ence of  God.  From  this  moment  the  human  race 
began  to  exhibit  evidence  that  they  did  not  like  to 
retain  God  in  their  knowledge.  If  our  first  parents 
and  a few  of  their  immediate  descendants  were, 
through  the  special  favor  of  God,  saved  from  the  ruin 
to  which  they  wrere  exposed,  it  is  evident  that  a crim- 
inal ignorance  of  God,  that  daring  impiety  and  atheism, 
made  rapid  progress  in  the  world,  till  the  deluge 
swept  away  its  inhabitants  and  their  pollutions  togeth- 
er. Enoch  and  Noah,  and  perhaps  a few  others,  were 


preachers  of  righteousness  to  the  men  of  their  times, 
hut  it  is  probable  that  only  a few  of  the  world’s  nu- 
merous population  ever  heard  their  instructions.  For 
reasons  beyond  our  comprehension  God  was  pleased 
to  leave  the  world  to  grope  on  in  darkness,  with  only 
some  occasional  revelations  which  he  made  to  individ- 
uals. The  dreadful  catastrophe  which  ensued  tells  us 
into  what  depths  of  guilt  men  had  soon  fallen.  We 
are  not  to  suppose  they  had  no  instructions  and  no 
light.  We  know  they  had  instruction  and  light 
enough  to  leave  them  without  excuse  lor  their  sins. 
In  that  portion  of  sacred  history,  which  extends  from 
the  creation  to  the  deluge,  we  find  the  most  painful 
evidence,  that  where  only  the  light  of  nature  and  the 
occasional  light  of  partial  revelations  shine,  there  men 
will  practise  all  the  impieties  that  spring  from  athe- 
ism. For  a short  period  after  the  deluge,  the  influ- 
ence of  piety  seems  to  have  been  partially  felt  in  the 
family  of  Noah.  The  remembrance  of  that  awful 
event,  which  had  swept  away  the  inhabitants  of  a 
whole  world  at  once,  doubtless  contributed  to  nurture 
the  partial  fear  of  God,  that  was  still  cherished  by  the 
sons  of  Noah.  Not  many  generations,  however,  had 
passed  away,  before  the  religion  that  came  out  of  the 
ark  with  the  father  of  the  new  world  had  almost  dis- 
appeared. 

Idolatry  soon  usurped  the  empire  of  religion.  The 
luminaries  of  heaven,  and  the  beasts  and  reptiles  of 
the  earth  received  the  adoration,  which  Jehovah 
claims  from  all  intelligent  beings  in  the  universe.  As 
we  advance  from  the  deluge  downwards  through  suc- 
ceeding ages  the  darkness  and  the  horrors  of  idolatry 
thicken  around  us  on  every  side,  and  we  find  no  light 


6 


and  nothing  to  cheer  us  amidst  the  deepening  gloom, 
till  we  turn  our  eyes  to  that  chosen  people , to  whom 
were  communicated  the  lively  oracles.  And  in  many 
instances  the  contagion  of  idolatry  infected  this  chosen 
people;  but  God  sent  his  word  and  healed  them. 
During  the  reign  of  ancient  idolatry,  a considerable 
number  of  men  appeared  on  the  theatre  of  the  world, 
whose  talents  shed  a lustre  on  human  intellect,  w hose 
attainments  in  every  department  of  learning  were  pro- 
found, who  advanced  some  of  the  arts  and  sciences  to 
a degree  of  excellence,  that  has  never  been  surpassed, 
and  seldom  equalled;  but  all  these  high  attainments 
left  them  still  in  idolatry.  The  wisdom  of  this  world 
could  boast  of  her  Socrates  and  her  Plato,  her  Cicero 
and  her  Seneca,  but  neither  of  these  alone,  nor  all  of 
them  together,  could  write  a system  of  morals  that  would 
change  the  hearts  and  reform  the  lives  of  men.  The 
idolatry  of  the  most  renowned  of  these  ancient  sages 
was,  by  his  own  confession,  as  constant  and  as  gross  as 
that  of  the  most  ignorant  of  his  countrymen.  With 
all  their  high  attainments  in  the  wisdom  and  knowledge 
which  secure  immortal  fame  among  men,  neither  of 
these  sages  had  learned  to  love  and  adore  the  one  God, 
who  is  the  Creator  of  the  wmrld.  And  history  will 
justify  us  in  making  a similar  declaration  concerning  all 
the  renowmed  pagans  of  ancient  times.  In  many  of 
the  departments  of  human  learning  they  are  valuable 
lights:  but  on  the  whole  subject  of  morals  and  religion 
their  light  is  but  darkness. 

In  that  short  sermon  delivered  by  our  Divine  Lord 
from  the  mountain,  there  is  more  light,  there  arc 
belter  instructions,  than  you  can  gather  from  all  the  vol- 
umes ever  written  by  pagans.  The  first  promulgation 


of  Christianity  produced  a wonderful  movement,  an 
amazing  effect;  and  this  effect  was  the  most  cheer- 
ing and  salutary.  It  did  not  kindle  an  enthusiasm, 
that  lives  and  blazes  and  blasts  for  an  hour,  and 
then  dies  to  live  no  more.  No;  but  it  kindled  a light 
that  burst  upon  the  night  of  paganism  and  displayed 
all  its  enormities  and  abominations  in  the  glare  of  day. 
It  gave  men’s  minds  a shock  that  broke  up  prejudices 
as  old  as  time,  and  as  inveterate  as  guilt.  It  flashed  a 
conviction  of  its  truth  on  a thousand  minds  at  once,  and 
roused  them  from  the  slumbers  and  the  vassallage  of 
sin.  Look  at  the  whole  pagan  world  at  the  moment 
when  our  divine  Lord  ascended  to  heaven!  And  what 
do  you  behold?  A thousand  temples,  dedicated  tons 
many  deities,  insulted  the  heavens  in  all  parts  of  the 
Roman  empire.  Within  these  temples  crimes  that 
must  not  be  named,  found  a sanctuary.  There  stands 
the  Delphic  oracle  uttering  its  flatteries  and  lies,  and 
there  are  celebrated  the  Elcusinian  mysteries,  deeds, 
all  of  them,  that  shrink  from  the  face  of  day  and  hide 
in  the  bosom  of  night. 

And  what  do  I now7  behold?  yonder  comes  a Gal- 
ilean! He  approaches  these  temples  and  begins  to 
preach  Christ  crucified!  Where  are  now  the  shame- 
ful rites,  the  nameless  crimes,  that  once  had  sanctuary 
there?  Fled,  driven  awav!  The  Delphic  oracle  is 
struck  dumb,  and  the  mysteries  of  Eleusina  can  be 
celebrated  neither  in  the  face  of  day  nor  in  the  bo- 
som of  night.  The  wisdom  of  philosophy  could  never 
banish  idolatry  from  a single  village;  but  the  foolish- 
ness of  preaching  swept  it,  with  all  its  forms  and  mys- 
teries, from  whole  provinces.  Nor  w7as  the  destruction 
of  idolatry  the  only  or  the  principal  effect,  produced 


8 


l>y  the  foolishness  of  preaching.  It  constrained  the 
pagans  in  a hundred  cities  to  confess  their  deeds  of 
darkness  and  guilt;  it  compelled  them  to  burn  their 
books  of  divination;  it  drew  them  away  from  the 
power  of  satan  to  God,  and  gave  them  promises  and 
prospects,  such  as  they  had  never  heard  nor  seen. 
When  the  A [jostles  embarked  in  their  mission  among 
the  Gentiles,  a desert  was  before  them  forbidding  and 
cheerless;  but,  urged  by  the  command  of  their  Al- 
mighty Sovereign,  they  went  forth  and  scattered  over 
it  the  seed  of  life,  and  lived  themselves  to  see  a harvest 
richer  than  the  fruits  of  Eden  wave  on  its  landscape. 
Yes,  in  spite  of  all  the  opposition  that  was  put  in  array 
against  it,  Christianity  marched  on  from  conquering  to 
conquer  till  its  triumphs  were  multiplied  from  one  end 
of  the  Roman  empire  to  the  other. 

The  wisdom  of  this  world  had  long,  but  in  vain,  at- 
tempted to  change  the  hearts  and  check  the  vices  of 
men.  The  experiment  had  been  fairly  made  during  a 
period  of  almost  four  thousand  years,  and  the  result 
plainly  proved,  that  the  wisdom  of  this  world  will 
never  lead  men  to  the  knowledge  nor  to  the  u'orship 
of  God.  But  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  produced  an 
immediate,  a powerful  effect,  such  as  all  the  charms 
of  poetry,  eloquence  and  philosophy  combined  could 
never  produce.  It  meliorated  the  condition  of  man, 
it  gave  a new  and  beauteous  aspect  to  the  world.  It 
brought  men  to  an  acquaintance  with  God;  it  taught 
them  definitely  their  duties  and  their  destinies;  it  told 
them  of  their  ruin  and  pointed  to  their  remedy.  Cast- 
ing our  eye  over  the  long  tract  of  time  from  Adam  till 
the  deluge,  and  from  the  deluge  till  the  corning  ol 
Christ,  and  marking  the  crimes  and  the  idolatry  that 


9 


prevailed  before  the  Gospel  was  preached,  anil  the 
happy  change,  and  the  prodigious  improvement  every 
where  effected  by  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  shall 
we  not  be  constrained  to  say,  blessed  is  the  people  that 
know  the  joyful  sound!  And  shall  we  not  think  and 
say  and  feel  too,  that  in  sending  the  Gospel  to  the 
heathen  of  our  own  times  we  impart  to  them  the  most 
precious  blessing?  But  let  us  now  proceed  to  show, 

2.  That  our  ability  to  send  them  the  Gospel,  confers 
an  obligation  to  send  if. 

\\  e are  under  no  obligations  to  the  inhabitants  of 
those  planets  that  shine  and  roll  above  and  around 
us,  through  the  fields  of  immensity.  We  are  under  no 
obligations  to  the  dead  that  sleep  in  the  dwellings  of 
silence,  for  Providence  has  placed  the  former  and  the 
latter  beyond  the  reach  of  our  benevolence.  But  not 
so  the  heathen.  No  matter  whore  they  live,  wheth- 
er on  the  line  or  at  the  poles,  whether  they  inhabit 
an  island  or  a continent,  the  Author  of  our  religion  has 
taught  us  that  they  are  our  neighbors,  and  commerce 
ai  d navigation  have  furnished  us  the  means  of  imparting 
to  them  our  charities.  On  the  high  road  of  nations 
we  can  easily  visit  the  spot,  “where  first  the  sun  gilds 
Indian  mountains,  or  where  his  setting  beam  flames  on 
the  Atlantic  wave;”  we  can  visit  the  Hottentot  dozing 
in  his  den,  or  the  Esquimaux,  that  quivers  with  the 
cold  in  his  smokv  hut.  Navigation  has  brought 
the  remotest  parts  of  the  globe  almost  within  our 
neighborhood.  It  has  made  us  familiar  with  islands 
and  nations,  that  were  once  shut  away  from  us  by  the 
barriers  of  the  ocean.  These  facilities  give  us  the 
power  of  sending  the  Gospel  to  the  Hottentot  and  the 
Hindoo,  to  the  inhabitants  of  Greenland  and  New  Hol- 
2 


10 


land,  with  the  same  expense  that  we  must  incur  in 
sending  it  to  the  natives  of  our  own  wilderness.  W e 
cannot  then  plead  the  want  of  facilities  to  do  good  to 
all  the  nations  as  an  apology  for  neglecting  them.  Nor 
shall  we  find  indigence  enough  in  our  country  to  fur- 
nish an  apology  for  the  same  neglect.  If  other  na- 
tions can  boast  of  greater  wealth  than  has  yet  dis- 
tinguished our  country,  it  is  certain  that  no  nation  un- 
der heaven  has  ever  been  visited  by  a tide  of  prosper- 
ity so  deep  and  so  rapid  as  that,  which  for  a long  time 
has  been  rolling  through  our  land.  Can  we  then  with 
such  ample  means  and  such  precious  facilities  for  evan- 
gelizing the  world  allow'  ourselves  to  slumber  a mo- 
ment, while  our  alms  and  our  energies  should  all  bo 
employed  in  this  sacred  enterprise? 

Avarice  has  never  lost  an  hour  in  slumber  and 
dreams.  She  avails  herself  of  every  facility  to  en- 
large her  possessions.  And  blessed  be  God,  a day  will 
come  when  Benevolence  will  cease  to  slumber  and 
dream;  when  she  will  sail  from  every  port,  and  carry 
her  blessings  round  the  world.  And  it  is  time  she 
W'ere  aw'ake  already!  Death  the  triumphant  conquer- 
or is  annually  carrying  away  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
our  race  beyond  her  reach.  What  we  do  for  the 
heathen  must  be  done  soon. 

3.  Let  us  now  glance  at  the  motives  and  encourage- 
ments that  urge  to  the  duty  we  are  contemplating. 

We  have  already  seen  that  the  greatest  blessing 
we  can  confer  on  the  heathen  is  to  send  them  the 
Gospel,  and  that  the  means  and  facilities  for  doing 
this  are  all  at  our  command.  The  solemn  command 
ol  our  Divine  Lord,  “Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and 
preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature,”  stands  to  this  day 


11 


unrevoked.  The  lapse  of  eighteen  hundred  years  lias 
detracted  nothing  from  the  import  of  this  command, 
and  given  us  no  exemption  from  the  duty  it  imposes. 
If  every  creature  needed  the  Gospel  then, so  does  every 
creature  need  it  now.  Not  one  argument  could  be 
urged  for  preaching  the  Gospel  then,  that  cannot  be 
urged  with  ccjual  force  for  preaching  it  now.  If  it  be 
said  that  miracles  attended  the  first  promulgation  of 
the  Gospel,  I reply,  that  in  ten  thousand  instances  mir- 
acles did  not  convince  men  that  the  Gospel  was  a di- 
vine dispensation,  and  that  they  never  in  a single  in- 
stance changed  the  human  heart.  It  was  then  the 
simple  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  that  was  the  wisdom 
of  God  and  the  power  of  God  to  salvation.  After  all 
the  miracles  they  exhibited,  the  Apostles  found  many 
who  could,  and  did,  elTectually  resist  the  benevolent 
counsels  of  God  towards  them.  They  found 
many  too,  who  did  not,  and  could  not,  resist  the 
force  of  their  appeals,  who  listened  cheerfully  to  their 
instructions  and  became  obedient  to  the  faith.  Similar 
effects  have  been  observed  in  later  times,  where  the 
Gospel  has  been  preached  unattended  by  miracles.  No 
well  authenticated  miracles  are  recorded  of  a later 
date  than  the  second  or  third  century,  but  since  that 
period  the  Gospel  has  been  preached  with  great  suc- 
cess in  kingdoms  and  countries,  where  its  sound  had 
not  before  been  heard.  The  absence  of  miracles  then 
does  not  nullify  the  command  nor  diminish  the  induce- 
ments to  send  the  Gospel  to  the  heathen.  A compli- 
ance with  this  duty  gives  scope  to  the  noblest  feelings 
of  philanthropy,  and  consequently  secures  exalted  hap- 
piness. It  is  painful  to  contemplate  the  thousand 
wrong  sources,  to  which  the  attention  of  men  has 


12 


been  directed  with  the  hope  of  finding  happiness.  The 
covetous  man  hopes  to  find  it  in  grasping  the  riches 
that  take  to  themselves  wings  and  fly  away.  The 
scholar  hopes  to  find  it  in  ranging  through  the  bound- 
less fields  of  knowledge;  and  the  conqueror  hopes  to 
find  it  in  seeing  half  a world  pay  him  the  homage  of 
submission.  But  in  all  these  different  instances  the 
happiness  is  but  a vanishing  shadow,  a happiness 
transient  in  its  nature,  and  dying  almost  in  the  moment 
of  its  birth.  Ask  the  covetous  man  if  all  his  hoarded 
wealth  can  roll  one  wave  of  happiness  into  his  bosom, 
when  death  has  come  and  is  bearing  him  away,  where 
the  rich  and  the  poor  sleep  undistinguished  in  silence. 
Ask  the  scholar  what  happiness  he  gathers  from  the 
field  of  learning,  w'hen  he  approaches  that  world, 
where  all  the  flattering  distinctions  that  obtain  among 
men  are  unknown.  Ask  the  conqueror,  when  he  is 
sinking  into  the  grave  from  his  throne  of  royalty,  what 
happiness  he  finds  in  the  remembrance  of  all  his  victo- 
ries and  greatness.  And  what  will  be  the  reply  of 
them  all?  All  with  one  voice  will  tell  you  that  all  these 
things  are  vanity  of  vanities  and  vexation  of  spirit. 
Let  us  now  ask  the  venerable  Apostle  when  his  toils 
and  perils  and  journics  among  the  Gentiles  were  past, 
and  his  earthly  career  w’as  drawing  to  a close,  what 
were  his  feelings,  when  he  remembered  the  labors 
that  were  past,  and  what  his  anticipations,  when  he 
glanced  at  the  reward  that  was  future.  Listen  to  his 
declaration:  I have  fought  a good  fight,  I have  finished 
my  course  and  kept  the  faith,  and  henceforth  there  is 
laid  up  for  me  a crown  of  righteousness.  No  unwelcome 
reflection  tells  him  at  the  end  of  his  life,  that  he  has 
been  playing  with  a toy  that  must  now  be  thrown 


13 


away  forever:  lie  is  not  compelled  to  feel  and  ac- 
knowledge, that  he  had  been  panting  after  a shadow 
and  grasping  at  the  wind.  He  was  happy  in  perform- 
ing his  works  of  faith  and  labors  of  love  among  the 
Gentiles,  and  he  was  happy  when  his  work  was  done. 

The  scholar,  the  covetous  man,  and  the  conqueror, 
may  each  have  known  a temporary  glow  of  happiness 
at  every  successful  period  ol  his  lile;  but  neither  of 
them  in  his  favorite  pursuits  could  find  a happiness 
that  fairly  claims  kindred  with  that,  which  Paul  found 
in  propagating  Christianity  among  the  Gentiles.  A 
happiness  allied  to  that,  which  cheered  the  last  hours 
of  Paul  may  be  anticipated  by  all  those,  who  piously 
aid  in  sending  the  Gospel  to  the  heathen. 

For  our  encouragement  in  this  noble  enterprise  we 
ought  to  mark  the  progress  and  the  success  of  Chris- 
tian missions  both  in  ancient  and  modern  times. 

Eighteen  hundred  years  ago  the  light  of  Christianity 
shone  only  on  the  little  province  of  Judea,  and  the 
darkness  of  gentilism  enveloped  all  the  other  portions 
of  the  globe.  But  previously  to  the  death  of  the 
Apostles,  Christian  missions  had  kindled  a great  light 
from  Jerusalem  round  about  to  Illyricura,  a circle  of 
more  than  a thousand  miles  in  diameter.  For  the  truth 
of  this  account  1 refer  you  to  the  Bible.  From  the  most 
authentic  human  records  we  are  assured  that  within  a 
few  centuries  from  the  advent  of  our  Savior,  Christian 
missionaries  found  their  way  into  the  East  Indies,  into 
Abyssinia,  and  into  almost  all  parts  of  Europe,  and 
that  in  all  these  various  places  and  among  all  these 
different  nations,  they  preached  the  Gopel  with  aston- 
ishing success.  Had  we  time,  it  would  be  delightful 
io  go  back  to  the  birth  of  Christianity  and  see  it  ris- 


14 


ing  up  and  advancing  in  the  world,  like  an  island  just 
emerging  from  the  bosom  of  the  deep,  rising  and  ex- 
tending, till  at  last  it  stretches  out  into  the  latitude  and 
longitude  of  a mighty  continent.  But  passing  with 
this  slight  notice  over  a long  tract  of  ages,  let  us  slop 
a moment  and  glance  at  the  progress  of  missions  dur- 
ing the  last  half  of  the  eighteenth,  and  the  commence- 
ment of  the  nineteenth  century.  Here,  my  friends, 
a scene  opens  to  the  eye  of  Christian  benevolence  that 
demands  abetter  tribute  than  a grateful  tear.  Within 
the  period  just  mentioned,  that  splendid  galaxy  of  the 
Christian  world,  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 
the  London,  the  Church,  and  the  Baptist  Missionary 
Society  of  England,  the  Methodist  Missionary  Society, 
the  Edinburg  Missionary  Society,  the  American  Board 
of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  and  the  Bap- 
tist Board  in  America,  have  all  had  their  birth,  and 
all  of  them  are  prosecuting  their  great  enterprise 
with  increasing  patronage  and  encouraging  prospects. 
These  are  so  many  light-houses  erected  in  the 
moral  world  to  direct  its  mariners  on  their  passage  to 
eternity.  But,  does  any  one  ask  what  have  all  these 
societies  accomplished?  They  have  raised  the  doz- 
ing Hottentot  from  his  filthy  den  to  the  comforts  and 
decencies  of  civilized  man;  they  have  done  more; 
they  have  raised  him  to  the  elevation,  the  dignity,  and 
the  happiness  of  a Christian.  Yes,  they  have  taught 
the  poor  Hottentot,  that  once  worshipped  a creeping 
insect,  to  worship  the  Almighty  God.  The  savage 
Africaner,  that  was  more  terrible  than  the  tyger  and 
the  lion  of  the  desart,  is  subdued  by  the  Gospel  into  the 
meekness  of  a Christian  and  bows  with  the  missionary 
to  weep  over  Ins  sms  and  adore  the  God  ol  mercy. 


15 


Onward  still  Christianity  is  marching  in  Africa  with  a 
triumph  that  confounds  infidelity  and  carries  joy  and 
gladness  to  the  bosom  of  benevolence. 

From  Africa  glance  your  eye  at  the  islands  in  the 
South  sea!  Less  than  thirty  years  ago  Otaheite  arid 
the  isles  in  its  neighborhood,  were  the  homeofsava- 
ges  and  cannibals.  There  was  neither  the  sound  nor 
the  semblance  of  piety  to  charm  the  ear  or  the  eye. 
The  natives  indulged  in  theft,  debauchery  and  murder, 
with  scarcely  any  impression  that  these  are  crimes. 
To  these  islands  charity  sent  her  missionaries.  And 

J 

dark  and  gloomy  indeed  was  their  prospect!  But 
faith  and  hope  sustained  them,  and  urged  them  for- 
ward. After  fifteen  years  of  toil  and  disappointment, 
they  began  to  reap  the  fruit  of  their  labors  by  seeing 
the  heart  of  the  king  apparently  subdued  by  the 
preaching  of  the  Gospel.  Then  the  day  dawned  on 
those  islands  and  rolled  the  darkness  of  night  away! 
Where  are  now  the  idols  of  Otaheite?  The  king  has 
sent  them  as  curiosities  to  Europe.  Now  temples 
dedicated  to  the  living  God  are  erected  in  all  parts  of 
his  dominions.  The  public  devotion  and  solemn  still- 
ness that  mark  the  first  day  of  the  week  tell  the 
visiting  stranger  that  Christianity  has  come  to  bless 
these  isles  of  the  ocean. 

And  what  shall  we  say  of  Greenland?  That  was 
a country  of  fierce  and  starving  savages,  till  missiona- 
ries trod  her  barren  and  frozen  shores.  As  the  fruit 
of  their  labors,  a considerable  portion  of  Greenland 
now  enjoys  the  ordinances  and  the  other  attendant 
blessings  of  Christianity. 

India  with  her  swarming  millions  begins  to  see  a 
few  beams  of  celestial  light  fall  on  her  mountains  and 


16 


plains.  By  preaching,  and  its  powerful  auxiliary,  the 
press,  the  missionaries  are  rapidly  preparing  the  way, 
in  the  very  heart  of  India,  for  the  ultimate  triumphs  of 
Christianity  over  all  those  populous  regions  in  the 
east.  Much  has  been  done  already.  The  ancient 
fabric  of  paganism  there  is  shaken,  and  totters,  we 
hope,  to  its  fall. 

Rites  and  ceremonies,  rendered  venerable  by  im- 
memorial usage,  are  beginning  to  be  abandoned. 
Brahmins  have  thrown  away  their  Vedas  and  Shas- 
ters  and  now  take  the  Scriptures  as  the  oracles  of  God. 
Females,  once  doomed  to  vassallage  and  ignorance 
begin  to  rejoice  in  their  freedom,  and  hail  the  blessings 
of  Christian  knowledge.  Children,  that  once  spent 
their  time  in  idleness  and  vice,  are  now  collected  in 
schools  to  acquire  the  rudiments  of  useful  learning. 
The  last  twenty-five  years  have  given  a new 
and  cheering  aspect  to  British  India;  and  the  system 
of  benevolent  operations,  still  in  motion  in  that  coun- 
try, opens  a prospect  rich  in  promise.  Christianity 
has  already,  to  a considerable  extent,  quenched  the 
flames  of  the  funeral  pile;  it  has  saved  a thousand  in- 
fants from  perishing  in  the  Ganges. 

In  tracing  the  progress  of  Christian  missions  on  the 
great  map  of  the  world,  we  must  not  pass  unnoticed 
the  wilderness  of  our  own  country.  Not  many  years 
ago  a chief  of  one  of  the  Indian  tribes,  who  had  him- 
selfbccome  a Christian  under  the  labors  of  a pious  mis- 
sionary, burst  into  this  touching  and  eloquent  lament- 
ation, when  he  learned  that  their  lands  had  been  clan- 
destinely sold  to  the  white  men:  “Where  are  now  the 

J 

chiefs  of  the  rising  sun?  White' chiefs  now  kindle 
their  ancient  fires!  '1'here  no  Indian  sleeps,  but  those 


17 


that  sleep  in  the  grave.  My  warriors  and  my  chil- 
dren, it  is  very  hard;  this  is  a dark  day  to  Oneida! 
Soon  our  fires  shall  be  put  out!  Our  eyes  rain  like 
the  black  cloud  that  roars  through  the  tops  ot  the 
trees!”  And  when  this  venerable  chief  died,  he  de- 
sired his  body  might  be  laid  by  the  side  of  his  good 
minister,  that,  as  he  said,  he  might  go  up  with  him  at 
the  oreat  resurrection.  When  he  uttered  tins  lam- 
entation  and  wept  over  his  own  tribe,  little  commis- 
eration was  felt  for  Indians  by  white  men.  The  poor 
wanderers  rn  the  wilderness  were  compelled  to  say,  ‘*1 
looked  on  my  right  hand  and  beheld,  but  there  was  no 
man  that  would  know  me;  refuge  failed  me;  no  man 
cared  for  my  soul!”  Blessed  be  God,  those  days  are  gone! 
The  scene  is  changed.  Charity  now  remembers  the 
children  of  the  wilderness,  and  listens  to  their  imploring 
voice.  Ten  thousand  hearts  and  hands  are  impatient 
to  bless  them.  The  sound  of  the  Gospel  begins  to 
echo  among  them  in  many  directions,  and  the  sacred 
songs  of  Zion  now  burst  along  where  once  nothing  was 
heard  but  the  roaring  of  winds  and  the  howling  of 
beasts. 

At  the  Sandwich  Islands  we  have  recently  seen  a 
nation  cast  away  their  gods  at  once.  There  our  breth- 
ren have  seen  with  agonized  hearts  the  ashes  and  the 
bones  of  human  victims,  which  paganism  had  sacri- 
ficed on  her  altars.  But  paganism  is  retiring  from 
those  islands,  and  Christianity  is  pushing  her  conquests 
and  setting  up  her  ensigns  there. 

With  all  these  facts  before  us,  can  we  want  more 
encouragement?  Well,  we  shall  find  additional  en- 
couragement in  the  promises  of  revelation.  Does  not 
the  Bible  tell  us,  that  the  kingdom  and  the  dominion, 
3 


18 


and  the  greatness  of  the  kingdom  under  the  whole 
heaven,  shall  be  given  to  the  people  of  the  saints  of 
the  most  high  God?  And  that  from  the  rising  of  the 
sun  to  the  going  down  thereof,  incense  and  a pure 
offering  shall  be  presented  to  the  Lord? 

And  has  gratitude  no  demands  on  us?  Where  is  a 
blessing  which  the  Gospel  has  not  thrown  into  our 
possession?  What  has  chased  the  darkness  of  pagan- 
ism from  our  landscape?  Why  do  I not  see  in  your 
venerable  cemeteries  the  ashes  of  the  funeral  pile,  in- 
stead of  the  modest  tombstone  that  stands  there? 
Why  do  I not  see  the  broken  hearted  orphan  return- 
ing to  an  unpitying  world  from  the  pile  where  both  its 
parents  have  been  consumed,  instead  of  seeing  chil- 
dren, that  are  cheerful  and  happy  around  a praying 
mother,  who  has  seen  the  friend  and  companion  of  her 
youth  sink  to  his  home  in  the  grave?  Why  are  we  not 
assembled  in  some  idol’s  temple  instead  of  bowing  in 
this  venerable  church  of  the  living  God?  The  Gos- 
pel— the  Gospel — has  chased  away  the  night  of  pa- 
ganism, and  poured  on  us  the  day-spring  from  on  high! 
The  Gospel  has  reared  the  churches  of  God  in  our 
land,  and  inspired  the  prayers  and  hymns  of  praise, 
that  echo  along  their  sacred  walls!  But — was  the 
Gospel  designed  for  us  only?  Does  it  bear  on  its  pages 
no  light,  no  blessing,  and  no  promise  for  the  heathen? 
Does  it  call  you,  Christian  brethren,  to  the  house  of 
God,  and  there  give  you  an  anticipation  of  heaven  in 
the  fervors  of  devotion;  does  it  tell  you  that  after  a 
few  years,  you  shall  rise  to  a companionship  with 
patriarchs  and  prophets,  and  apostles,  in  the  kingdom 
of  heaven;  and  then  drop  an  intimation  that  you  may 
innocently  forget  the  heathen,  and  leave  them  perish- 


19 


ing  in  darkness?  No — no,  if  we  have  imbibed  the  spirit 
of  the  Gospel,  gratitude  will  compel  us  to  resolve  that 
we  will  not  enjoy  these  blessings  alone!  Gratitude  de- 
mands our  labors  and  our  sacrifices,  that  all  kingdoms 
and  countries  may  be  blessed  with  the  voice  of  him. 
whose  feet  are  beautiful  upon  the  mountains,  who 
bringeth  good  tidings,  who  publisheth  peace,  andsaitb 
unto  Zion  thy  God  reignetln 

We  have  thus  far  confined  our  attention  to  the 
heathen;  let  us  now  glance  at  the  Greeks  and  Jews. 

In  the  Greek  church,  though  there  is  a chaos  of  su- 
perstition and  darkness,  still  there  do  remain  a few 
glimmerings  of  Christian  light.  Dwelling  as  she  does 
in  the  midst  of  her  enemies,  and  enjoying  no  other  hu- 
man protection  but  that  of  tyranny,  her  prospects  have 
fora  longtime  been  dreary,  and  her  very  existence  has 
often  been  threatened.  For  a long  time  it  has  not 
been  in  her  power  to  command  the  adequate  means 
of  Christian  instruction,  and  consequently,  ignorance 
and  vice  have  invaded  her  communities. 

At  the  present  moment  there  is  reason  to  fear  her 
religion  is  little  better  than  Paganism  with  a Chris- 
tian  name.  She  has  indeed  dismissed  the  ancient  idols 
and  deities  of  Paganism,  but  she  retains  in  their  stead 
the  pictures  of  Christ  and  his  Apostles. 

It  is  only  the  diffusion  of  Christian  light,  that  will 
restore  her  ancient  purity,  and  clear  away  the  mists 
and  clouds  that  have  gathered  around  her.  She  has 
her  seat  on  the  very  ground,  which  was  once  the  Edeu 
of  Christendom;  she  inhabits  the  very  region,  which 
once  heard  the  voice  of  the  Apostles,  and  now  em- 
bosoms their  dust.  To  this  ancient  church  we  cannot 


20 


but  direct  our  attention  with  more  than  ordinary  in- 
terest. 

A revival  of  religion  and  learning  there,  must  be 
hailed  by  every  Christian  and  every  philanthropist, 
as  an  event  of  the  most  auspicious  aspect.  But  such 
a revival  cannot  be  anticipated,  till  some  foreign  aid 
shall  encourage  and  strengthen  the  little  religion  and 
learning  still  struggling  there  between  life  and  death. 

At  the  mention  of  the  Jews  a thousand  emotions  of 
sacred  and  solemn  import  are  awakened  in  every 
pious  bosom.  At  the  mention  of  them,  the  mind  is 
instantly  hurried  back  to  Abraham  and  Moses,  to  Da- 
vid and  Daniel,  to  the  Apostles,  and,  especially,  to  him 
who  is  the  Root  and  Offspring  of  David,  the  bright 
and  morning  Star.  At  the  mention  of  them  all  the 
ancient  scenes  of  the  Promised  Land  rush  upon  us; 
but  all  these  scenes  rise  before  us  accompanied  by  the 
pensive  remembrance  that  the  harp  of  David  is  silent 
and  the  glory  of  Israel  is  gone! 

Oh  Judah,  son  of  the  morning,  how  art  thou  fallen! 
Eighteen  centuries  have  seen  the  children  of  Abra- 
ham  wandering,  forsaken  and  friendless,  in  a strange 
land!  Within  this  period  Christianity  has  diffused  her 
blessings  among  millions  of  the  Gentiles;  but  peace 
and  gladness,  and  joy,  have  forsaken  the  dwellings  of 
Jacob! — But — does  there  not  remain  a rest,  a glorious 
rest,  for  this  ancient  people  of  God?  Yes;  we  trust 
the  forty  and  two  months,  in  which  their  holy  city 
was  to  be  trodden  down  by  the  Gentiles,  will  soon  be 
gone. 

o 

Signs  of  the  most  benignant  aspect  upon  the  Jews 
announce  to  us  the  approach  of  their  conversion. 


21 


Already  they  are  beginning  to  come  in  with  the  ful- 
ness of  the  Gentiles.  And  it  is  not  in  the  visions  of 
fancy,  nor  in  the  dreams  of  enthusiasm,  that  we  dis- 
cern the  approach  of  their  enlargement. — It  is  in  the 
recorded  testimony  of  Jehovah,  that  we  discern  the 
solid  and  sober  reality  of  their  conversion. — To  doubt 

J 

this,  would  be  infidelity;  to  believe  this,  and  still  re- 
main silent  and  motionless,  would  be  nothing  better 
than  impiety. 

Our  debt  of  gratitude  to  them  has  long  been  ac- 
cumulating, and  now  piety  and  Providence  unite 
their  demand,  that  it  be  discharged.  Their  fall  gave 
us  our  elevation.  When  the  heralds  of  heavenly 

af 

mercy  went  forth  in  a thousand  directions  amongst  the 
Gentiles,  then  the  sound  and  the  march  of  desolation 
were  heard  and  seen  through  the  Promised  Land. 

A long  and  cheerless  night  settled  on  the  Jews  at 
the  very  moment,  when  the  Light  of  the  world  rose 
upon  the  Gentiles.  And  shall  we,  can  we,  forget 
them.  Paul  has  intimated  that  through  our  mercy 
they  shall  hereafter  obtain  mercy. 

The  same  arguments,  motives,  and  encouragements, 
which  should  induce  us  to  remember  the  heathen, 
forbid  that  we  forget  the  Greeks,  and  the  Jews  in 
Palestine  and  Western  Asia.  We  do  not  expect,  we 
cannot  hope  to  see,  a great  moral  change  effected  in 
those  countries  at  once.  The  progress  of  the  refor- 
mation from  popery  w’as  gradual;  but  it  has  ultimate- 
ly given  a new  face  to  Christendom. 

The  friends  and  patrons  of  the  contemplated  mission 
and  printing  establishment  in  Western  Asia  will  think 
themselves  happy,  if  they  may  be  permitted  in  any  hum- 
ble measure  to  aid  the  diffusion  of  evangelical  light 

O O 


there,  and  thus  to  revive  religion  and  learning  in  that 
country  which  was  the  birth-place  of  Christianity.  The 
liberality  displayed  by  the  friends  and  patrons  of  this 
new  enterprise,  which  owes  its  origin  to  the  benevo- 
lence of  individuals  in  this  town,  is  recorded  in  hea- 
ven we  trust,  as  an  acceptable  memorial  of  them 
before  God.  As  my  countrymen  I congratulate  them, 
and  as  Christian  philanthropists  and  benefactors,  I ten- 
der them  my  most  grateful  acknowledgments.  May 
the  utility  of  this  enterprise  equal,  and  more  than  equal, 
the  distinguished  benevolence  of  its  patrons. 

About  to  embark  in  the  contemplated  mission 
to  Palestine,  your  candor  will  permit  me  to  express 
some  of  the  emotions  which  are  awakened  in  mv 
bosom  by  this  occasion. 

He  has  not  the  feelings  of  a Christian,  he  has  not 
the  feelings  of  a man , who  can,  without  one  tear,  or 
one  regret,  leave,  in  their  advanced  age,  the  parents, 
who  protected  and  guided  him  through  the  days  of 
infancy,  and,  in  his  maturer  years,  gave  him  their 
united  counsels  and  prayers.  He  has  not  the 
feelings  of  a Christian  and  of  a patriot,  who  can 
see  his  native  place  and  his  country  fade  and  die 
away  for  ever  from  his  sight  without  one  saddening 
emotion.  Love  to  our  kindred  and  country  is  the 
native  feeling  of  all  our  hearts.  To  this  feeling, 
strengthened  by  time  and  reflection,  my  bosom  is  no 
stranger.  The  country  and  the  friends  I am  leaving, 
I shall  love  to  remember,  when  my  home  shall  be  in  a 
strange  land.  I shall  love  to  remember  them,  till  death 

o 

shall  give  me  a dismissal  from  this  world.  If  it  is 
Christian  benevolence  that  calls  me  into  a strange 


23 


land,  surely  such  a benevolence  will  prompt  a thousand 
prayers  for  the  salvation  of  my  own  countrymen.  Is 
there  in  this  assembly  an  individual,  who  is  not  recon- 
ciled to  God?  Then  let  me,  with  affectionate  tender- 
ness intreat  him  to  seek  in  the  atonement  of  Christ  an 
asylum  for  his  soul.  On  the  rapid  current  of  time  we 
arc  borne  irresistibly  along  towards  those  realities, 
which  arc  at  present  concealed  from  us  in  the  bosom 
of  eternity.  They  are  momentous  realities,  though, 
at  present,  unseen.  The  lapse  of  a few  days  or 
years  will  disclose  them  all  to  our  astonished  vis- 
ion, and  teach  us  that  piety,  vital  piety,  is  the  only 
substantial  solace  and  hope  of  man:  and,  that  all  be- 
sides is  a transient  shadow,  a dying  sound!  In  relig- 
ion you  may  find  a friend  to  cheer  your  dying  pillow, 
to  give  you  light  in  the  darkness  of  death  and  a crown 
of  immortality  in  heaven!  May  you  all  find  such  a 
friend  and  such  an  immortality. 

This  evening  calls  me  to  take  leave  of  my  country, 
my  friends  and  patrons,  with  only  a dim  prospect  of 
ever  seeing  them  again.  Endeared,  however,  as 
they  are  to  the  best  feelings  of  my  heart,  I can  leave 
them,  I do  leave  them,  cheerfully7,  with  the  hope  of 
greater  usefulness  in  another  and  a distant  country. 
To  the  favor  and  protection  of  God  I now  commend 
them;  and  while  one  pious  feeling  shall  have  place  in 
my  bosom,  without  ceasing  I shall  make  mention  of 
them  in  my  prayers  to  God.  I hear  a voice,  that  bids 
me  arise  and  go  hence,  and  I bow  with  joyful  submis- 
sion to  the  command. 

My  beloved  country — blessed  with  an  enlightened 
and  equitable  government,  that  knows  no  parallel  on 


24 


earth — blessed  with  copious  streams  of  information — 
blessed  with  the  ministers  and  the  ordinances  of  re- 
ligion— mv  beloved  COUNTRY — where  the  ashes  of  my 
ancestors  repose  in  silence,  farewell!  To  this  beloved 
assembly,  and  to  all  my  Christian  friends,  to  all  my 
patrons  and  benefactors,  I now  say,  affectionately, 
Farewell. 


OF  THE  PRUDENTIAL  COMMITTEE  OF  THE  AMERICAN  BOARD  OF  COM- 
MISSIONERS FOR  FOREIGN  MISSIONS,  TO  THE  REV.  DANIEL  TEMPLE, 
MISSIONARY  TO  WESTERN  ASIA,  DELIVERED  IN  THE  OLD  SOUTH 
CHURCH,  BOSTON,  SABBATH  EVENING,  DEC.  1C,  1821. 


Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

As  the  organ  of  the  Prudential  Committee,  arid  by  their  ap- 
pointment, 1 would  now  solicit  your  attention  to  some  instructions, 
which  they  deem  proper  to  be  delivered  on  the  present  occasion 
You  are  about  to  leave  your  native  country,  and  to  be  engaged, 
in  a work  difficult,  arduous,  uncertain  as  to  its  immediate  progress, 
though  no  wise  doubtful  in  regard  to  its  final  issue.  You  have  bid- 
den farewell  to  the  associates  of  your  early  years; — to  the  paternal 
roof,  under  which  are  formed  many  of  the  tenderest,  the  strongest, 
and  the  most  durable  attachments; — to  the  sanctuary,  where  in  in- 
fancy you  were  dedicated  to  God,  and  where,  after  having  arrived 
to  years  of  maturity,  and  after  full  deliberation,  you  professed 
your  faith  in  Christ  as  the  only  Savior; — to  the  school  of  the 
prophets,  in  which,  for  a series  of  years,  you  studied  theology,  the 
sublimest  of  the  sciences,  and  aspired  after  proficiency  in  the 
noblest  of  the  arts, — that  which  might  enable  you  to  proclaim 
most  effectually  the  message  of  salvation: — and  here,  this  evening, 
you  have  bidden  farewell  to  many  of  your  Christian  brethren,  who 
have  statedly  contributed  of  their  property,  for  the  support  of  the 
mission  to  which  you  are  to  be  attached,  and  whose  prayers  ascend 
continually  for  a blessing  upon  you  and  your  fellow-laborers.  At 
such  a time,  you  cannot  but  receive  with  peculiar  interest  any 
suggestions,  which  our  solicitude  for  }rour  success,  or  our  respon- 
sibility as  agents  and  almoners  of  the  Christian  public,  jnay  prompt 
us  to  offer. 


4 


2(j 


In  accordance  with  arrangements  made  for  your  passage,  yon 
will  soon  embark  for  the  Mediterranean,  with  the  design  of  spend- 
ing your  life  as  a missionary  in  Western  Asia.  That  part  of  the 
world  being  at  present  in  an  unsettled  state,  it  Is  deemed  expedi- 
ent that  you  seek  a temporary  residence  at  Malta.  In  this  great 
resort  of  foreigners,  holding  direct  and  frequent  communications 
with  Europe,  Africa,  and  Asia,  you  will  possess  great  advantages 
for  acquiring  languages  necessary  to  your  ulterior  designs,  and  for 
gaining  some  useful  knowledge  of  the  people  whom  you  may  sub- 
sequently visit.  There  you  will  find  at  least  a few,  whose  hearts 
will  respond  to  every  sentiment  of  exalted  charity,  and  who  will 
hail  with  lively  joy  every  coadjutor  in  the  divine  work  of  spread- 
ing the  Gospel.  With  these  men,  and  others  of  similar  character 
elsewhere,  you  will  not  fail  to  cultivate  a free  and  cordial  inter- 
course. 

The  cheerful  co-operation  of  Christians,  though  of  different 
nations  and  churches,  in  a grand  effort  for  the  conversion  of  the 
world,  is  one  of  the  most  delightful  subjects  of  contemplation; 
and  will  be  found  at  last  to  have  contributed,  more  than  almost 
an}'  thing  else,  to  the  desired  result. 

The  languages,  of  which  you  will  endeavor,  as  soon  as  possible, 
to  attain  a competent  knowledge,  are  the  Modern  Greek  and  tthe 
Arabic.  This  you  will  do  without  neglecting  any  of  the  principal 
languages  of  southern  Europe,  or  western  Asia.  Count  not  the 
time  lost,  while  you  are  employed  upon  these  studies.  You  will 
learn,  at  the  same  time,  many  things  indispensably  necessary,  as  a 
preparation  for  your  more  active  labors.  By  an  intimate  personal 
acquaintance  with  select  individuals,  by  epistolary  correspondence, 
and  by  attentive  observation  of  whatever  can  be  interesting  to  you 
as  a Christian  and  a missionary,  you  will  aim  at  being  thoroughly 
qualified  for  your  high  vocation. 

Whenever  the  political  stale  of  the  Ottoman  empire  shall  be- 
come so  tranquil,  that  you  can  remove  to  Asia  Minor  without  ap- 
prehension, and  enter  without  impediment  upon  those  duties  of  a 
religious  teacher,  which  are  of  a more  silent  and  unobtrusive  char- 
acter, you  will  take  up  your  residence  at  Smyrna;  and  there  enter 
into  the  labors  of  your  brethren,  Messrs.  Fisk  and  Parsons,  who 
will  then,  as  we  hope,  have  advanced  into  the  interior,  to  pursue 
the  work  of  evangelists  in  the  Holy  Land. 

By  the  liberality  of  a few  individuals  you  carry  a Press,  conse- 
crated to  the  dissemination,  of  divine  truth  through  a vast  region. 


27 


wow  lying  in  ignorance  and  spiritual  death.  As  the  manner  in 
which  this  design  originated  marks  an  advancement  in  charitable 
exertions  of  the  noblest  kind;  and  as  the  success,  which  attends 
Ihe  enterprise,  may  have  a great  influence  upon  plans  of  the  same 
general  character  hereafter; — yon  will  consider  a discreet,  yet  ac- 
tive and  efficacious,  use  of  the  press  a subject  of  high  importance, 
not  to  your  mission  only,  but  to  the  cause  of  missions,  and  of  Chris- 
tianity. 

Who  does  not  know  that  the  art  of  printing  is  the  greatest  of 
human  inventions?  If  regarded  merely  as  an  instrument  of  refine- 
ment and  civilization, — of  intellectual  improvement, — and  of  se- 
curing and  preserving  liberty,  the  highest  strains  of  eloquence 
would  be  poured  forth  in  its  praise.  But  it  is  destined  to  a nobler 
use,  than  any  which  is  confined  in  its  operation  to  this  world. 
Next  to  the  living  voice  of  the  earnest  and  affectionate  preacher, 
it  is  to  become  the  most  powerful  mean  of  diffusing  the  knowledge 
of  the  Gospel,  of  awakening  a dead  world  to  spiritual  life,  and  of 
glorifying  God  by  honoring  the  revelation  of  his  will.  How 
small  are  the  objects  of  orators,  and  poets, — of  moralists  and  leg- 
islators, compared  with  the  renovation  and  salvation  of  a single 
soul?  What  are  the  embellishments  of  human  society,  the  gratifi- 
cation of  curiosity,  or  of  taste,  to  a mind  deeply  inteuton  recover- 
ing a lost  world  to  God  and  holiness, — on  raising  up,  from  the  ruins 
of  the  apostasy,  heirs  of  immortality,  children  of  God,  trophies  of 
the  Redeemer’s  saciifice?  To  establish  the  liberties  of  a nation  is 
deemed  a great  achievement;  and  so  indeed  it  is,  comparing  mere- 
ly temporal  things  with  each  other.  How  great  a cause  of  ex- 
ultation is  it,  then,  to  liberate  immortal  beings  from  the  bondage 
of  sin,  and  lead  them  forth  from  their  prison  house  to  the  enjoy- 
ment of  pure  and  heavenly  freedom?  To  this  high  and  holy  min- 
istration the  press  will  hereafter  be  more  devoted  than  it  has 
ever  jet  been.  The  time  will  arrive  when  it  shall  be  no  more 
the  pander  of  vice,  the  apologist  of  crime,  the  incentive  to  pollu- 
tion, the  instrument  of  sophistry  and  error.  In  those  favored 
days,  holiness  to  the  lord  will  be  inscribed,  as  with  a sun-beam, 
on  every  page. 

So  far  as  you  may  be  intrusted  with  the  management  of  the 
mission  press,  let  this  sublime  destination  be  held  continually  in 
view.  Let  it  be  your  constant  aim,  that  when  the  truths  of  relig- 


28 


ion  are  professedly  taught,  nothing  but  pure,  plain,  simple  truth, 
should  be  found; — evangelical  truth,  unsophisticated  by  human 
additions,  unimpaired  by  retrenchments,  the  suggestions  of  human 
wisdom,  unincumbered  with  human  philosophy  in  any  form,  but 
supported  by  the  veracity  of  God,  and  certainly  to  be  accomplished 
by  his  power  and  his  faithfulness.  Let  your  standard  be  high,  in 
regard  to  the  purity  and  tendency  of  whatever  you  permit  to  be 
published.  We  have  no  fears,  indeed,  that  you,  or  your  brethren, 
will  ever  consent,  that  a press  furnished  in  so  disinterested  a man- 
ner, and  for  so  excellent  a design,  should  be  desecrated,  by  being 
applied  to  any  unworthy  purpose.  It  is  not  enough,  however, 
that  positive  evil  be  avoided;  let  eminent  good  be  done.  Let  the 
character  to  which  you  aspire  in  this  department  of  j our  labors 
be  such,  that,  could  you  be  transported,  by  a happy  anticipation, 
into  the  full  blaze  of  the  millennial  day,  you  would  have  no  occa- 
sion to  blush  for  the  motives  which  prompted,  or  the  elfects  which 
followed  your  publications. 

The  field  before  you  is  extensive  and  inviting.  You  will  not 
be  compelled,  like  many  of  your  brethren  in  different  regions, 
first  to  form  a written  language,  and  then,  beginning  at  the  ele- 
ments, to  create  for  yourself  a reading  population.  Around  the 
whole  circuit  of  the  Mediterranean,  multitudes  are  able  to  read, 
and  vastly  greater  multitudes  are  desirous  of  learning.  The 
Greeks,  particularly,  are  inquisitive,  apt  to  learn,  and  fond  of  pos- 
sessing books.  Some  of  them  have  knowledge  enough  very 
earnestly  to  covet  more;  and  all,  so  far  as  our  information  extends, 
are  willing  to  be  taught.  They  are  in  just  such  a state  as  emi- 
nently to  need  instruction.  Accustomed  to  reverence  the  Chris- 
tian name,  and  to  suffer  many  indignities  and  privations  on  account 
of  their  profession,  they  need  the  supports  and  consolations  of 
genuine  Christianity.  The  pure  and  simple  doctrines  of  the 
New  Testament,  if  fairly  and  steadily  presented  to  the  mind,  w ill 
chase  aw'ay  the  phantoms  of  superstition,  which  have  been  stalk- 
ing abroad,  during  so  many  ages  of  darkness. 

The  exertions  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society  em- 
brace so  wide  a range,  that  a press  is  not  primarily  demanded  in 
Western  Asia,  for  the  publication  of  the  Scriptures  entire;  though 
it  may  probably  hereafter  be  usefully  and  profitably  employed  for 
this  purpose.  But  at  present,  and  during  the  first  stages  of  relig- 
ious inquiry,  select  portions  of  the  Scriptures,  printed  in  such 


quantities  as  to  be  very  extensively  distributed,  promise  to  answer 
u valuable  end,  by  attracting  notice,  and  preparing  the  way  for 
complete  copies  of  the  Bible.  Short  tracts,  also,  expressing  the 
great  truths  of  the  Gospel  in  the  words  of  Scripture,  may  be  reck- 
oned among  the  most  etfectunl  means  of  exciting  attention,  and 
leading  to  the  demand  for  direct  personal  labors.  School  books, 
formed  upon  the  principles  of  unadulterated  Christianity,  with  the 
design  of  early  imbuing  the  mind  with  heavenly  truth;  and  intro- 
ducing, at  the  same  time,  all  the  modern  improvements  in  rudi- 
mental  learning,  must  be  of  inestimable  value  to  such  a people  as 
we  are  contemplating. 

If  the  mission,  in  which  you  are  to  be  employed,  were  regarded 
only  in  the  light  of  conferring  temporal  benefits,  the  philosopher, 
the  political  economist,  the  philanthropist,  would  be  bound  to  ap- 
prove and  applaud  it.  What  then  will  the  Christian  say,  when 
he  sees  in  prospect  the  rising  generation  trained  up  in  the  fear  of 
God,  and  early  taught  to  receive  and  love  the  Savior; — when  he 
contemplates  the  effect  of  the  full  and  faithful  annunciation  of  the 
Gospel,  accompanied,  as  we  may  hope  it  will  be,  with  the  energies 
of  the  life-giving  Spirit?  To  the  mind  of  the  philosopher  such  a 
prospect  appears  visionary;  and  so  it  doubtless  would  be,  if  it 
were  expected  that  ignorant,  dissolute,  and  barbarous  nations 
were  to  be  reformed,  enlightened,  and  converted  by  human 
agency  alone.  This  is  not  expected.  But,  for  an  exhibition  of 
what  divine  truth  is  able  to  accomplish,  when  brought  to  bear 
upon  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  men,  however  previously  for- 
tified by  ignorance,  superstition,  and  even  gross  wickedness,  look 
at  the  effect  of  preaching  in  the  days  of  the  Apostles  and  their 
immediate  successors.  Similar  effects  were  produced  in  Germany, 
France,  Switzerland,  Great  Britain,  and  several  other  nations  of 
Europe,  at  the  period  of  the  Reformation.  After  what  has  been 
recently  witnessed  by  missionaries  in  Greenland,  in  the  Society 
Islands,  and  at  Sierra  Leone,  there  is  no  difficulty  in  conceiving 
how  the  work  of  conversion  may  proceed,  whenever  God  shall 
see  fit  to  interpose  in  behalf  of  the  nations.  That  he  will  thus  in- 
terpose is  manifest  from  the  promises  of  his  word,  and  the  import 
of  his  general  command  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature. 

You  will  naturally  inquire,  What  can  I do,  single  or  w ith  a 
small  band  of  brethren,  against  the  giaDt  forms  of  wickedness, 
which  have  so  long  trampled  upon  the  heritage  of  Jehovah,  and 


30 


desolated  some  of  the  fairest  portions  of  the  globe?  With  the  di- 
vine presence  and  blessing  you  may  do  much,  and  may  have  the 
honor  and  privilege  of  preceding  other  faithful  laborers  who  shall 
do  more,  till  the  march  of  truth  shall  be  unresisted  and  irresistible, 
and  grateful  countries  shall  celebrate  the  commencement  of  your 
mission  as  the  dawn  of  religious  light  after  a long  and  troubled 
period  of  darkness.  The  true  missionary  does  not  wait  for  the  as- 
surance of  any  particular  degree  of  success  to  his  personal  minis- 
trations. He  knows  that,  in  any  event,  he  is  a mere  instrument 
in  the  hands  of  the  great  Master-builder, — a humble  though  vol- 
untary organ  of  communicating  the  divine  beneficence  to  the 
guilty  and  suffering  children  of  men.  In  this  office  he  will  rejoice, 
without  being  solicitous  to  choose  in  what  part  of  the  work  his 
feeble  agenc}'  shall  be  used.  He  who  labors  in  obscurity,  remov- 
ing the  rubbish  of  fifteen  centuries,  and  those  who  carry  up  the 
walls  of  the  spiritual  edifice,  and  their  successors  who  lay  the  top- 
stone  in  its  destined  position,  will  at  last  join  in  the.  triumphant 
shout  of  Grace,  grace,  on  the  completion  of  this  illustrious  monu- 
ment of  Infinite  Wisdom,  erected  by  the  conspiring  labors  of  holy 
men  through  succeeding  ages. 

To  many  it  might  seem  strange,  that  Christian  missionaries 
should  be  sent  from  the  New  World  to  the  Old; — from  this  asylum 
of  modern  pilgrims  to  the  lands  of  patriarchs  and  prophets,  apos- 
tles and  martyrs; — a land  in  which  true  religion  was  divinely  re- 
vealed,— over  which  the  personal  ministry  of  the  immaculate 
Savior  shed  a peculiar  sanctity, — and  whence,  after  he  had  made 
an  atonement  for  the  sins  of  the  world,  and  finished  the  work 
which  had  been  given  him  to  do,  he  ascended  to  Heaven.  And 
when  they  read  of  the  institutions  of  Christianity  as  there  existing; 
— of  numerous  ecclesiastics; — of  churches,  and  other  buildings 
dedicated  to  religion; — of  schools  and  various  apparatus  of  learn- 
ing, it  seems  unnecessary  for  Christians  in  this  country  to  send 
religious  teachers  thither. 

But,  my  dear  Sir,  before  you  ever  thought  of  dedicating  your- 
self to  this  service,  you  were  well  persuaded  of  the  urgent  and  im- 
perious call  for  the  aid  of  our  churches,  in  attempting  to  repair  the 
ruins  of  many  generations.  You  are  well  aware  that  Christianity 
can  be  little  more  than  a name,  where  the  Scriptures  are  not  pos- 
sessed at  all  by  the  people,  nor  by  the  clergy  in  the  vernacular 
languages;  where,  from  time  immemorial,  the  priests  have  had 


31 


but  few  copies  in  any  language,  and  the  immense  majority,  even 
of  the  ministers  of  religion,  never  had  a Bible  at  their  command 
for  a single  day; — where  not  one  in  fifty  of  the  clergy  ever  at- 
tempts to  preach  the  Gospel; — where  the  people  do  not  know 
what  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  is; — where  the  religious  ob- 
servances have  sunk  into  mere  forms,  consisting  of  prayers  in  an 
unknown  language,  and  of  the  worship  of  saints;  where  the  schools 
arc  used  principally  to  train  boys  for  the  church,  so  tiiat  they  may 
merely  be  able  to  read  prayers,  which  they  themselves  do  not 
understand;  and  where  no  Sabbath  brings  with  it  the  stillness* 
and  the  solemnity  of  a day  set  apart  for  the  service  of  God,  and 
consecrated  to  preparation  for  heaven.  If  piety' can  exist  in  such 
a state  of  things,  it  lies  buried  under  a mass  of  ignorance  and  form- 
ality which  needs  to  be  removed,  and  for  the  removal  of  which 
none  will  be  so  grateful  as  those,  who  are  now  oppressed  by  its 
weight.  But  piety  cannot  flourish  in  any  place,  unless  the  Gospel 
is  fully  and  plainly  and  publicly  preached  from  Sabbath  to  Sab- 
bath; nor  will  it  be  likely  to  flourish,  for  any  length  of  time,  un- 
less, in  addition  to  preaching,  the  Bible  be  placed  in  the  hands  of 
the  common  people.  Here,  then,  behold  the  grand  aim  of  mis- 
sions, so  far  as  means  and  instruments  are  concerned.  It  is  to 
preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature,  to  place  the  Word  of  Lilo  in 
the  hands  of  every  immortal  being. 

There  is  one  point  of  view  in  which  the  forms  of  Christianity, 
as  existing  in  Western  Asia,  and  neighboring  parts  of  Europe  and 
Africa,  are  to  be  regarded  with  a lively  interest.  They  furnish 
the  missionary  with  means  of  access  to  the  clergy  and  the  people. 
They  afford  a ground  of  immediate  intercourse.  They  cause  his 
benevolent  errand  to  be  understood;  and,  if  he  is  discreet  and  pru- 
dent, he  may  without  offence  seize  hold  of  some  cardinal  truth, 
which  will  be  acknowledged,  and  from  which  he  can  unfold  and 
explain  the  Christian  system. 

It  should  be  mentioned  also,  and  with  expressions  of  gratitude, 
that  the  attempts  of  Protestant  Christendom  to  enlighten  these 
regions  have  been  hailed  with  joy  by  the  mingled  people,  who  are 
principally  to  be  benefitted.  The  reception,  with  which  Mr.  Con- 
nor, Mr.  Jowett,  and  others,  actuated  by  a like  spirit,  were  every 
w here  met,  gives  decisive  evidence  on  this  subject.  Were  other 
testimony  requisite,  you  have  it  in  the  journals  and  narratives  of 
your  beloved  brethren,  Messrs.  Parsons  and  Fisk,  who.  for  a year 


and  three  quarters,  have  been  seeking  intormation  on  this  very 
point.  Previously  to  the  last  intelligence,  they  had  been  distrib- 
uting the  Scriptures  and  religious  tracts  for  more  than  a year;  and 
their  experience,  extending  to  many  Grecian  islands, — to  Smyrna, 
and  a circuit  of  300  miles  embracing  six  out  of  the  Seven  Churches, 
and  to  Jerusalem  itself; — had  furnished  them  with  no  instance  of  a 
Bible  or  tracts  being  refused  by  either  Greeks  or  Armenians.  In 
numerous  instances,  they  had  distributed  tracts  to  Archbishops, 
Bishops,  and  the  inferior  clergy;  and  these  gifts  had  uniformly 
been  received  with  expressions  of  gratitude.  Bishops  had  fre- 
quently given  assurance,  that  the  tracts  committed  to  their  charge, 
should  be  distributed  among  the  clergy  and  the  schools.  Chil- 
dren, in  great  multitudes,  belonging  to  numerous  schools,  and  in 
many  different  places,  had  received  tracts  with  the  utmost  eager- 
ness, and  always  with  the  approbation  of  their  instructors.  The 
agent  of  the  patriarch  of  Jerusalem,  having  been  most  actively 
engaged  in  the  distribution  of  the  Scriptures,  gave  Mr.  Parsons  to 
understand,  that  he  should  readily  co-operate  with  American  Chris- 
tians in  exertions  to  do  good.  The  Bishops,  on  whom  Mr.  Parsons 
called  to  take  his  leave,  when  about  to  return  to  Smyrna  from  the 
Holy  City,  expressed  an  affectionate  desire,  “that  they  might  soon 
see  him  there  again.”  In  regard  to  the  part,  which  our  churches 
are  beginning  to  take,  with  a view  to  communicate  spiritual 
blessings  to  the  people  of  Western  Asia,  Dr.  Naudi  thus  expresses 
himself,  in  a letter  to  Mr.  Fisk;  “From  the  religious  publications  of 
America,  which  I am  just  now  reading,  I observe  with  admira- 
tion, and  my  friends  here  do  the  same,  that  Providence  has  im- 
pressed on  the  minds  of  so  many  in  the  New  World  the  necessity 
of  new  missionary  labors,  for  the  diffusion  of  the  pure  Gospel,  iu 
these  parts  of  the  Old  World,  left  so  long  in  a state  of  barbarism.” 

The  character  of  Dr.  Naudiis  known,  as  the  active,  intelligent, 
and  zealous  agent  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society;  and 
from  his  post  of  observation  at  Malta,  he  is  under  the  best  advan- 
tages to  form  a candid  and  dispassionate  judgment. 

You  need  not  hesitate,  my  dear  Sir,  to  consider  it  as  settled, 
that  there  is  work  enough  to  be  done  by  faithful  missionaries  in 
Western  Asia; — that  the  fields  are  now  white  for  the  harvest; — 
and  that  Christians  of  this  country,  and  you  among  the  rest,  are 
bound  to  engage  in  the  holy  undertaking.  Your  eyes  have  been 
fixed  on  this  scene  of  labor;  you  have  longed  to  put  in  the  sickle, 


and  till  your  arms  with  the  sheaves.  As  you  gird  yourself  tor  the 
work,  take  courage  from  the  declaration  of  the  Savior;  lie  that 
reapeih  receiveth  wages,  and  gatliereth  fruit  unto  life  eternal;  that 
both  he  that  someth  and  he  that  reapetli  may  rejoice  together. 

In  offering  these  suggestions,  the  Committee  purposely  avoid 
several  topics  of  prime  importance,  which  were  urged  with  great 
ability,  tenderness,  and  force,  by  the  late  Corresponding  Secretary, 
in  the  Instructions  delivered  in  this  sanctuary,  to  your  fellow- 
laborers,  whose  names  have  been  mentioned.  You  will  consider 
the  document  here  referred  to  not  less  applicable  to  your  case, 
than  to  that  of  your  brethren;  and  will  preserve  it  as  a most  valua- 
ble directory  of  your  general  conduct,  and  a precious  memorial  of 
that  eminent  man,  and  distinguished  director  of  missions,  by  whom 
it  was  composed. 

In  discharging  your  sacred  commission  as  an  evangelist,  you 
will  always  bear  in  mind,  that  preaching  the  Gospel  is  the  highest 
part  of  your  employment,  the  chief  thing  for  which  the  Christian 
ministry  was  instituted.  You  will  earnestly  desire  to  see  the  day, 
when  you  can  preach  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  publicly, 
and  from  house  to  house.  Should  it  not  be  the  will  of  your  Divine 
Master  and  Lord,  that  you  ever  enjoy  this  privilege  in  its  fullest 
extent, you  will  strive  to  prepare  the  way  for  successors  who  may 
enjoy  it.  In  the  mean  time,  Christ  may  be  faithfully  preached  in 
various  ways,  beside  in  the  regular  and  public  congregation.  As 
you  read  the  Scriptures  with  inquirers  of  different  nations,  you  will 
have  an  opportunity  of  explaining  and  enforcing  the  doctrine  of 
that  Savior,  of  whom  Moses  and  the  prophets  did  write.  When 
you  visit  schools,  you  can  direct  the  active  minds  of  the  young  to 
that  great  Instructor,  who,  while  on  earth,  manitested  so  tender  an 
interest  in  the  welfare  of  children.  When  you  receive  the  hospi- 
tality of  foreign  countries,  you  will  study  to  convey  saving  truth 
to  the  hearts  of  your  kind  entertainers,  and  to  introduce  them  to 
the  fellowship  of  the  saints,  and  make  them  members  of  the 
household  of  faith. 

Should  the  effect  of  your  labors  be  scarcely  apparent  for  a con- 
siderable time,  still  be  not  discouraged.  Y ou  know  in  whom  you 
have  believed.  His  commands  and  his  promises  are  sufficient. 
From  these  perennial  fountains  you  may  always  draw  consolation. 
Yrou  will  consider,  also,  that  in  the  common  operations  of  Divine 
Providence,  the  greatest  results  are  produced  from  small  begin- 


34 


niugs.  Il  we  are  deterred  from  entering  on  a good  work,  merely 
because  the  immediate  effect  is  not  likely  to  correspond  with  our 
wishes,  how  manifest  is  it,  that,  on  this  principle,  nothing  could 
ever  be  done  by  human  agency  to  meliorate  the  condition  of  man? 
If  we  can  now  be  excused  from  attempting  to  preach  the  Gospel 
among  a heathen  and  barbarous  people,  merely  because  the  be- 
ginning must  be  small,  and  the  progress  not  so  rapid  as  we  could 
desire,  the  same  excuse  would  always  be  valid,  and  the  nations 
must  be  left  in  a state  of  hopeless  guilt,  degradation  and  misery. 
Corrupt  and  ignorant  communities  never  reform  themselves;  but, 
w'hen  God  has  mercy  in  store  for  them,  He  sends  them  unexpect- 
ed aid  from  abroad. 

Let  it  then,  my  dear  Sir,  be  a cheering  thought  with  you,  even 
in  the  darkest  hours,  that  to  your  mission  may  be  granted  the 
distinguished  honor  of  commencing  a revival  of  genuine  religion, 
even  in  Jerusalem,  whence  the  glory  of  Israel  has  so  long  been 
departed; — that  by  your  instrumentality  a flame  of  pure  devotion 
may  be  enkindled  among  the  dying  embers  of  many  ancient  altars; 
and  that  the  proposal  to  send  the  Gospel  from  this  country  to  Pal- 
estine may  hereafter  be  commemorated,  as  the  first  in  a series  of 
connected  operations,  which  opened  western  Asia  to  the  labors  of 
missionaries,  and  was  followed  by  the  triumphs  of  the  cross 
throughout  the  wide  extent  of  these  interesting  regions.  How 
glorious  a consummation;  and  how  suited,  even  in  distant  prospect, 
to  nerve  the  arm  for  labor,  and  to  fortify  the  mind  against  suffer- 
ing. Delightful  anticipation  of  churches  again  flourishing  on  pa- 
triarchal ground;  of  Jews  renouncing  their  hereditary  unbelief, 
and  Gentiles  their  hereditary  superstitions,  and  both  uniting  in  the 
highest  ascriptions  of  praise  to  their  common  Master  and  Lord. 

As  a legitimate  motive  to  diligence  and  fidelity,  you  may  often 
reflect  on  the  expectations  of  your  Christian  brethren  at  home, 
from  the  mission  to  which  you  will  belong.  It  is  the  child  of  many 
prayers.  On  its  progress  many  eyes  will  be  fixed.  Its  history 
will  be  read  with  strong  emotion; — with  tears  of  bitter  lamenta- 
tion should  it  fail; — with  tears  of  grateful  joy  should  it  prove  a 
messenger  of  peace  to  the  various  people,  for  whom  it  is  design- 
ed. This  the  first  Protestant  mission  ever  sent  to  the  Holy  Land, 
or  to  any  part  of  Western  Asia;  and  Mr.  Parsons  is  the  first  Pro- 
testant missionary,  who  ever  visited  Jerusalem,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  making  it  the  seat  of  his  own  evangelical  exertions.  This 


35 


h.'  has  ilone;  and,  after  a three  months  residence,  pronounces  the 
station  exceedingly  important  and  desirable. 

It  has  been  intimated,  in  the  course  of  these  suggestion*,  tha 
you  will  spend  your  life  as  a missionary,  in  that  part  of  the  world 
to  which  you  arc  destined.  By  this  intimation  the  Committee  do 
not  intend,  that  there  are  no  causes,  which  can  justify  you  in  re- 
turning to  this  country.  A voyage  may  be  necessary  to  preserve 
life;  a return  may  he  useful  to  the  cause.  Still,  the  probability  is, 
that  a faithful  and  devoted  missionary  will  leave  bis  mortal  remains 
at  a distance  from  his  native  land,  and  will  rise  to  heaven  from 
the  scene  of  his  immediate  labors.  You  will  not  be  solicitous, 
whether  you  find  a grave  on  the  shores  of  the  Mediterranean,  or 
the  Caspian,  at  the  foot  of  Caucasus,  or  Ararat,  or  in  the  hilk 
country  of  Judea;  but  you  will  be  deeply  anxious  to  have  a part 
in  the  resurrection  of  the  just. 

While  you  take  every  prudent  and  proper  mean  to  preserve 
life  and  health,  you  will  consider  it  an  honor  to  labor  and  to  die 
in  the  service  of  Christ.  There  are  persons,  who  think  it  wrong 
for  missionaries  to  be  exposed  in  unhealthy  climates,  or  to  the 
danger  of  travelling  in  barbarous  countries.  For  the  sake  of  gain 
it  is  law  ful,  according  to  the  morality  of  the  wrorld,  to  enter  the 
very  jaws  of  destruction;  and  thousands  w ill  stand  ready  to  ap- 
plaud the  meritorious  hardihood  of  the  deed.  But  to  expose 
one's  life  for  the  salvation  of  an  immortal  soul,  ora  countless  mul- 
titude of  souls; — this  is  rashness,  madness,  foil}'.  So  judges  the 
world;  but  so  thought  not  Mills,  or  Martyn.  So  thought  not  Paul, 
when  he  said,  “I  count  not  my  life  dear  unto  myself,  so  that  I might 
finish  my  course  with  joy,  and  the  ministry  which  I have  received 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  to  testify  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  God;”  or 
when  he  declared,  that  he  was  ready  “to  die  at  Jerusalem  for  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.” 

The  world  admires  that  spirit  of  enterprize,  w hich  makes  men 
willing  to  expose  their  lives  for  the  sake  of  enlarging  the  bound- 
aries of  science,  or  even  of  gratifying  curiosity'.  One  traveller 
may  brave  the  scoi’ching  sun  of  the  Delta  to  measure  pyramids 
and  obelisks,  or  to  take  drawings  of  ancient  temples;  and  another 
maj'  run  the  hazard  of  suffocation,  amid  the  accumulated  dust  of 
three  thousand  years,  while  endeavoring  to  obtain  some  rare  ob- 
ject, which  shall  bring  him  profit  or  reputation:  All  this  the 
world  approves.  But  shall  Burckhardt  the  traveller  he  applaud- 


30 


ed,  who  perished  when  preparing  to  explore  the  interior  of 
Africa,  for  the  purpose  of  explaining  a geographical  paradox?  and 
Shall  Burkhardt  the  missionary  be  accused  of  rashness,  because 
he  fell  while  attempting  to  make  known  to  others  that  precious 
Gospel,  on  which  all  his  own  hopes  and  the  hopes  of  mankind 
were  reposed?* 

The  missionary  need  not  be  afraid  to  trust  his  life,  and  all  his 
interests,  in  the  hands  of  his  Savior.  There  should  be  no  misgiv- 
ings as  to  the  nature  of  his  employment; — its  acceptableness  to 
God,  its  importance  to  man.  This  employment  is  indeed  the 
highest,  in  w'hich  mortals  are  permitted  to  engage.  A just  con- 
sideration of  its  design  should  lead  you,  my  dear  Sir,  to  preserve 
the  genuine  dignity  of  the  missionary  character.  This  you  will 

do,  not  by  desiring  or  expecting  distinctions  in  the  view  of  the 
world;  but  by  imitating  the  meekness  and  gentleness,  the  patience 
and  forbearance,  the  boldness  and  intrepidity,  the  zeal  for  God  and 
love  for  the  souls  of  men,  which  were  perfectly  exemplilied  in  the 
life  of  Christ. 

You  will  often  be  reminded  of  the  voyages,  and  perils,  of  the 
great  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles,  whose  labors  have  rendered  for  ever 
memorable  many  places,  on  which  your  e3res  will  dwell  with  pe- 
culiar interest.  Let  the  history  of  his  efforts  and  sacrifices, — of 
the  unceasing  activity  and  energy,  with  which  he  promoted 
the  cause  of  his  Lord,  operate  as  a perpetual  incentive  to  industry, 
to  perseverance,  and  to  a reliance  on  the  same  power  and  good- 
ness which  sustained  him.  Should  you  at  any  time  be  tempted  to 
despondency,  think  of  the  triumphant  faith  which  he  exhibited  in 
the  severest  trials; — to  indolence,  meditate  on  his  ceaseless  care 
of  the  churches  amidst  painful  journeyings,  and  intense  labors; — 
to  unfaithfulness,  remember  his  frequent  and  solemn  reference  to 
that  day,  when  he,  and  you,  and  every  other  missionary,  must  ren- 
der an  account  to  God. 


* John  Lewis  Burckhardt,  a traveller  ot'  great  enterprise,  (lied  at  Cairo,  Oct 
1817,  just  as  he  was  about  commencing  an  exploring  tour  into  the  interior  ot' 
Africa,  with  a particular  design  of  ascertaining  the  course  of  the  Niger 
The  licv.  Christopher  Burkhardt  travelled  in  Egypt,  Palestine,  and  Syria 
!lir  the  express  purpose  of  distributing  the  Holv  Scriptures;  and  died  at  Aleppo, 
Aug.  ISIS. 


I 


37 


Should  you  faint  and  be  discouraged; — should  you  neglect  the 
great  business  on  which  you  are  sent,  the  places  which  witness- 
ed the  sullerings  and  the  fidelity  of  the  Apostle  will  testify  against 
you.  The  strand  of  Malta,  where  he  was  wrecked,  and  on  which 
you  will  first  set  your  feet  alter  leaving  this  harbor; — the  dark, 
wintry  waves  of  the  Mediterranean,  where  he  spent  a night  and 
a day  in  the  deep; — the  coast  ol  the  Levant,  lrom  Troas  to  Mile- 
tus and  thence  onward  to  Tyre,  where,  in  so  many  different  places, 
and  with  so  much  holy  importunity,  he  prayed  with  converted 
Greeks,  and  exhorted  them  to  perseverance,  will  testify  against 
you. 

It  can  never  be  too  deeply  fixed  in  3'our  mind,  that  it  is  by  emi- 
nent attainments  in  Christian  virtue,  rather  than  by  the  splendor 
of  intellectual  endowments,  the  fascination  of  eloquence,  or  the 
eclat  of  learning, that  missionaries  may  expect  to  become  the  favor- 
ed ministers  of  grace  lrom  on  high.  Though  you  may  “earnestly 
covet’’  those  “best  gifts,”  which  answer  so  many  valuable  pur- 
poses, you  are  to  be  principally  anxious  concerning  that  “more 
excellent  way,”  that  progress  in  holiness, — that  genuine  love  to 
God  and  man, — without  which  all  other  acquisitions  will  be  a 
sounding  brass  or  a tinkling  cymbal. 

At  this  hour  of  parting,  both  jrou  and  we  are  admonished  to  be 
active  and  diligent  during  the  days  allotted  us.  Missionaries  and 
their  patrons  and  directors  must  soon  finish  their  work,  and  leave 
in  other  hands  the  cause  which  they  love. 

In  the  course  of  the  year  which  is  now  drawing  to  a close,  the 
wisest,  the  most  experienced,  and  the  most  devoted  agent*  of  this 
cause,  with  whose  counsels  and  services  our  missions  have  been 
favored,  has  been  removed  from  the  midst  of  us.  And  now  the 
intelligence  is  brought  from  afar,  that  one  of  the  first,!  who  left  our 
shores  to  bear  the  tidings  of  salvation  to  the  heathen,  is  summoned 
hence  with  scarcely  a moment’s  warning.  Other  efficient  help- 
ers, in  different  departments  of  the  work,  have  also  been  taken 
away  from  their  labors. 

To  every  friend  of  missions,  truly  and  ardently  desirous  of  doing 
his  Heavenly  Father’s  will,  these  solemn  dispensations  should  bring 
home,  with  peculiar  force,  two  lessons  of  instruction:  One  is,  that 
the  time  of  discharging  the  highest  agency,  of  which  we  can  form 


The  Rev.  Dr.  Woucesteti. 


f The  Rev.  Samvel  Newell. 


38 


any  adequate  conception,  that  of  intreating  sinners  to  be  reconciled 
to  God,  is  exceedingly  short: — the  other,  that  every  faithful  ser- 
vant will  soon  be  in  possession  of  his  reward.  “Behold,”  says  our 
§avior,  “1  come  quickly,  and  my  reward  is  with  me.” 

That  you,  my  dear  Sir,  may,  through  divine  grace,  participate 
abundantly  in  the  glorious  recompense  of  those,  who  have  turned 
many  to  righteousness,  we  shall  not  cease  to  pray,  while  we  affec- 
tionatelj'  commend  you  and  your  message  to  the  favor  of  God. 

Jeremiah  Evarts,  Secretary. 

Boston,  Dec.  16,  1821. 


PALESTINE  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY. 


Mr.  Temple  was  received  as  a missionary  in  the  autumn  of  1 82ti 
He  had  for  several  years  contemplated  offering  himself  for  this  ser- 
vice, when  his  theological  course  at  Andover  should  be  completed; 
and  this  intention  had  been  known  to  the  Committee.  The  field  of 
labor,  on  which  his  mind  had  long  dwelt  with  particular  interest,  was 
Asia  Minor,  Palestine,  and  the  neighboring  regions;  and  to  this 
lield  he  was  assigned,  with  the  expectation  that  he  would  enter 
it,  as  soon  as  the  necessary  arrangements  could  be  made.  In  the 
mean  time,  he  was  employed  as  an  agent  to  preach  on  the  subject 
of  missions,  and  to  raise  funds  for  the  Board.  While  performing 
this  agency,  in  the  winter  and  spring  of  the  present  year,  he  \ bited 
all  the  towns  in  Plymouth  county,  and  many  in  the  adjoining  coun- 
ties; and  was  most  kindly  and  cordially  received,  both  by  the 
clergy,  and  the  people. 

In  consequence  of  becoming  acquainted  with  Mr.  Temple,  and 
his  intended  mission,  it  was  proposed  by  friends  of  the  missionary 
cause,  that  an  auxiliary  society  should  be  formed,  with  a view  to 
the  support  of  a missionary  in  Palestine  or  its  vicinity.  A meeting 


3<) 


wa*  accordingly  held  at  Weymouth,  on  the  20th  of  June,  at  w Inch 
the  contemplated  society  was  formed.  It  may  be  useful,  in  con- 
nection with  the  preceding  Sermon  and  Instructions,  to  publish 
the  constitution. 


CONSTITUTION. 

Art.  1.  This  Society  shall  be  called  The  Palestine  Missionary 
Society. 

Art.  II.  The  specific  object  of  this  Society  shall  he  to  sup- 
port one  Missionary,  (who  shall  he  approved  by  the  Society,)  in 
Palestine  or  its  vicinity,  under  the  direction  of  the  American  Board 
of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions. 

Art.  III.  Should  the  annual  subscriptions  and  donations  of  the 
Society  amount  to  a sum  more  than  sufficient  to  support  one  Mis- 
sionary, the  surplus  shall  be  appropriated  to  aid  iu  the  education  of 
Jewish  children  under  the  direction  of  the  Palestine  mission. 

Art.  IV.  Any  gentleman  or  lady,  on  subscribing  this  Constitu- 
tion, and  engaging  to  pay  annually  into  the  treasury  such  a sum  as 
he  or  she  shall  specify,  shall  be  a member  of  this  Society.  And 
any  gentleman  on  subscribing  and  paying  twenty  dollars , and  any 
lady  on  subscribing  and  paying  ten  dollars,  shall  be  a member  of 
this  Society  for  life. 

Art.  V.  The  Officers  of  this  Society  shall  be  a President,  two 
Vice  Presidents,  a Secretary,  a Treasurer,  an  Auditor,  and  one  or 
more  directors  in  each  Parish  embraced  by  the  Society. 

Art.  VI.  The  officers  of  this  Society  shall  be  chosen  annually; 
the  President,  Vice  Presidents,  Secretary,  and  Treasurer,  by  bal- 
lot; the  others  by  nomination. 

Art.  VII.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  to  act  both  as^ 
recording  and  corresponding  Secretary,  and  to  exhibit  reports  to 
the  Society. 

Art.  VIII.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  directors  to  solicit  and  re- 
ceive subscriptions  and  donations,  and  pay  the  same  into  the 
Treasury. 

Art.  IX.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Treasurer  to  keep  an  ac- 
count of  monies  or  other  articles  received  by  him,  to  transmit  the 
same  semi-annually  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  American  Board  for 
the  purpose  specified  in  Art.  II.  and  to  report  annually  to  this  So- 
ciety. And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Auditor  to  examine  the 


40 


Treas  urer’s  accounts,  and  report  on  the  same  to  the  Society  at 
each  annual  meeting. 

Art.  X.  This  Society  shall  meet  annually  on  th'e  third  Wed- 
nesday in  June,  at  such  place  as  they  shall  previously  appoint,  for 
the  purpose  of  choosing  officers,  and  transacting  such  business  a= 
may  come  before  them. 

Art.  XI.  The  Secretary,  by  order  of  the  President,  may  call  a 
special  meeting,  b}'  notifying  one  director  in  each  parish,  who 
shall  cause  the  same  to  be  made  public  therein  accordingly. 

Art.  XII.  Each  meeting  of  the  Society  shall  be  opened  and 
closed  with  prayer  by  the  President,  or  some  one  by  him  de- 
signated. 

Art.  XIII.  At  each  annual  meeting,  a sermon  shall  be  deliver- 
ed, by  some  one  previously  appointed  by  the  Society,  and  a report 
read  by  the  Secretary.  * 

Art.  XIV.  After  the  sermon  and  report,  a contribution  shall 
be  received  in  aid  of  the  Society’s  funds. 

Art.  XV.  This  Constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended,  by 
the  vote  of  two  thirds  of  the  members  present  at  an  annual 
meeting. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  then  chosen  officers  of  the 
Society  for  the  current  year. 

Eliphalet  Loud,  Esq.  President , 

Rev.  A.  Ricumond,  > 

0 TJ  1 Vice  Presidents , 

Mr.  Seth  Hunt,  } 

Rev.  Jonas  Perkins,  Secretary , 

Dr.  Ebenezer  Alden,  Treasurer , and 

Mr.  Silas  Paine,  jr.  Auditor. 

Directors  were  also  chosen  in  the  several  towns  in  the  vicinity. 


